Working With Concertinas

Whenever I receive a concertina for any sort of repair work I am conscious of the skill with which it was made, and the quality of the materials that were used. I endeavour to make repairs that are sympathetic to the instrument, and to use the same materials and methods as went into the creation of the instrument. For example I normally use animal glue and where possible old matching timber for woodwork repairs, and best woollen baize for bushings and carefully selected leather for valves, bellows repairs and straps..

The special tone and responsiveness of the best concertinas is entirely dependent on the reeds being treated with great care, especially while being tuned. Good concertina reeds are in short supply. I can obtain some secondhand from instruments that are beyond repair, but worldwide there is only a handful of people who have the skill to make good new concertina reeds.